'Call of Duty' 2016 release date rumors: Pre-order bonus content to include 'Modern Warfare' titles?

"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" will allegedly be a pre-order bonus in "Call of Duty 2016."Steam/Activision

Pre-ordering "Call of Duty 2016" will snag players a copy of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" and "Modern Warfare 2," according to a new rumor.

The word originated from a "credible source" that spoke to The Tech Game. The same source claims that these titles will come with Xbox One Backward Compatibility.

While there's no way of knowing for sure if the "Call of Duty 2016" pre-order bonus content includes the two "Modern Warfare" titles, it is highly possible. In fact, it is not exactly unlikely or unprecedented.

Tons of game publishers package their upcoming game with an older installment. Microsoft is currently offering a copy of "Alan Wake" to gamers who pre-order "Quantum Break" due for release on April 5.

When "Fallout 4" was released, gamers who ordered a copy early also got to take home "Fallout 3." This is why it is entirely possible that Activision will proffer the same deal.

Add to that the fact that developer Infinity Ward, who is also behind the "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" titles in question, is the one working on "Call of Duty 2016."

However, in the case of Activision, the publisher has no history of revisiting or doing remasters of its older offerings and it seems to focus on the new ones they put out rather than their last-generation outings.

Besides, Activision's exclusive collaboration with Sony in "Call of Duty: Black Ops 3" (calling the PS4 the new of "Call of Duty") also presents a challenge on how this "Call of Duty 2016" pre-order bonus content is arranged.

Sony struck an exclusivity deal with Activision for the current "Call of Duty" title, allowing PS4 players to try the title a month before Xbox players.

It is also important to note, however, that Activision and Microsoft were in an exclusivity deal for the release of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" back in 2007.

This fact backs up the idea that the "Modern Warfare" games will be offered with Xbox One Backward Compatibility. But with no official information to corroborate these claims, gamers are advised to take this report with a pinch of salt.

"Call of Duty 2016" is expected to be released later this year. Rumors say it will be launched for the Nintendo NX as well.